David Michael Hasselhoff (born July 17, 1952 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American actor best known for his lead roles on ''Knight Rider'' and ''Baywatch''. He has also enjoyed a minor singing career, primarily in Germany.
Early acting career
Having played Dr. Snapper Foster on the soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' for six years, he went on to star as Michael Knight in the Glen A. Larson-created series ''Knight Rider'' from 1982 to 1986. He launched his singing career with guest appearances on the children's program ''Kids Incorporated''. He also obtained permission to produce a Knight Rider episode (''Let It Be Me'') focused on his singing talents, which served as a springboard for his 1985 album ''Night Rocker''.
Singing career
Fulfilling his original dream to be a singer, he covered "Looking for Freedom" in 1989, just as the Berlin Wall came down. In Germany, his song became an anthem of sorts at the time, and the accompanying album went gold and triple platinum, topping the charts for three months.
Hasselhoff and Catherine Hickland in the Knight Rider episode ''Let It Be Me'', which helped launch Hasselhoff's singing career]]Albums released in Germany include:
- (2005) ''David Hasselhoff Sings America Gold Edition''
- (2004) ''David Hasselhoff "The Night befor Christmas''
- (2004) ''David Hasselhoff Sings America''
- (2000) ''Magic Collection''
- (1997) ''Hooked on a Feeling''
- (1995) ''David Hasselhoff''
- (1995) ''Looking For...The Best''
- (1994) ''Du''
- (1993) ''You Are Everything''
- (1992) ''Everybody Sunshine''
- (1991) ''David''
- (1990) ''Crazy for You''
- (1989) ''Looking for Freedom
- (1987) ''Lovin' Feelings
- (1985) ''Night Rocker''Norm MacDonald, ''Saturday Night Live'''s Weekend Update newscaster, had a popular running joke that always ended with "Which once again proves my theory—the Germans love David Hasselhoff"
Taking back ''Baywatch''
Late career
In 1994, he was scheduled to perform a concert on pay-per-view from Atlantic City. It was supposed to help reignite his singing career in the United States. On the night of his concert, O.J. Simpson was involved in a police chase on the California highway. People who were watching the concert switched over to watch the news. Since then, Hasselhoff has not attempted another concert.In 1996, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.In 2004, Hasselhoff played the lead role in London performances of ''Chicago'', for three months, starting July 16.Hasselhoff made a cameo appearance in ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie'', released November 19, 2004, starring as himself and meeting SpongeBob and Patrick.Hasselhoff also had another short appearance in the movie ''Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story'' as, fittingly, the dodgeball coach to the German national dodgeball team. He is shown scolding the German players to play better and smashing a photo of himself in his Baywatch attire.David presented a musical award with Gretel Killeen at the Australian version of the Grammy's - the ARIA's on Sunday 23 October 2005 in Sydney.Hasselhoff has been married to actress Pamela Bach since December 8, 1989, with whom he has two daughters, Taylor Ann and Hayley Amber. Although Hasselhoff was raised Catholic, he and his family attend non-denominational church services. He was married to actress Catherine Hickland from March 24, 1984 to March 1, 1989, when they divorced.
